Label Focus: Dogfish Head 75 Minute IPA

If a well-recognized icon appears wearing a Groucho Marx glasses, it can mean only one thing, right? Someone doesn’t want him to be recognized. Clearly that’s what happened to old Johnny “Cask” who is featured on Dogfish Head’s 75 Minute IPA label.

I wasn’t able to find much about the story behind the change, but I do know this: The amazing artwork for the 75 Minute IPA label was painted by Jon Langford of Mekons and Waco Brothers fame. I also know that it’ll cost you upwards of $60 on eBay to buy a t-shirt with the original, un-Grouchoed image. There is plenty of material out there which has since become collectors items. At some point Dogfish Head decided that perhaps they’d best disguise Mr. Cask and it doesn’t take a super sleuth to figure out why.

Besides the 75 Minute IPA label, Langford is also responsible for the artwork on Olde School Barleywine (which by the way instructs its purchaser to bury in the woods for a year before enjoying) and Burton Baton. I love the texture of his work. You can tell these images were crafted with a nostalgic hand on very raw, rough materials.

Since the beer world is centered around my home town (the greatest beer town in the country), Chicago, I would be remiss to mention that Calagione discovered Langford’s work here. Langford is also a Chicago resident.

One more thing. I have to call you out, Dogfish Head. According to your site, “We love original stuff here at Dogfish Head… we view the beer in our bottles as a form of original art.”  Where’s the credit to the artist on your labels, hmmmm?

There are lots of sites that do a much better job detailing Jon Langford’s biography than I could. By all means, check them out!

Q&A: Punk rocker Jon Langford on death, digital art and Dogfish Head

Dogfish Art

Jon Langford on Facebook

Jon Langford on Twitter

Great interview with Langford on FirstWeFeast.com